Borno Closes School After Abduction of 42 Students by Suspected Insurgents

The Borno State Government has ordered the closure and relocation of Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area following the abduction of 42 pupils and students by suspected insurgents.

The decision was announced during an official visit to the affected community by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Wakilbe, as part of government efforts to assess the situation and reassure residents after the attack.

The delegation, led by the commissioner, first paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Uba, Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza II, before proceeding to Mussa community, where they met military personnel, community leaders and parents of the abducted children. Speaking during the engagement, Wakilbe sympathised with affected families and assured residents that security agencies were intensifying efforts to rescue the abducted pupils.

He stressed that the protection of students and teachers remained a top priority for the administration of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

As part of immediate safety measures, the commissioner directed the temporary closure of Government Day Secondary School, Mussa and approved its relocation to Government Secondary School, Uba, under the state’s Safe Schools Initiative.

Governor Zulum’s spokesperson, Dauda Illiya, said the relocation was aimed at ensuring that students continue their education in a more secure environment while authorities work to stabilise the affected area.

“The commissioner directed the temporary closure of Government Day Secondary School, Mussa and approved its relocation to Government Secondary School, Uba, where students are expected to continue their education in safer, more secure conditions,” Illiya stated.

Parents of the abducted pupils, speaking through community representative Ishaku Jidaye, commended the state government’s swift response to the incident but appealed for urgent action to secure the release of the victims. They said families in the community were facing severe emotional trauma following the attack.

The delegation also inspected schools and educational facilities in Dille, Lassa and Uba communities to evaluate security conditions and strengthen protective measures around learning institutions.

The latest attack has once again highlighted growing concerns over insecurity and repeated attacks on schools in parts of northern Nigeria.